Elizabeth McGinitie, PhD, BSc (Honours)

Area of Study / Keywords

Chemistry Chemistry Education Catalysis Green Chemistry

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About

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Research

My disciplinary research interests primarily lie in the fields of catalysis and green chemistry. My current research focuses on improving the environmental sustainability and efficiency of industrial chemical processes through asymmetric catalyst immobilization and continuous-flow. In addition, I have a number of SOTL research projects that mostly focus on non-traditional teaching practices and alternative assessments.

Selected Publications and Patents:

• Rempel, B. P.; Dirks, M.; McGinitie, E. The influence of two-stage testing on peer relationships: a study of first-year university student perceptions. The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 2023, 14, 1-19.
• King, D.; Snyman, M.; McGinitie, E. G. Design, implementation and instructor reflections on teaching a face-to-face advanced synthetic chemistry laboratory course during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of Chemical Education 2022, 99, 1579-1586.
• Rempel, B. P.; Dirks, M.; McGinitie, E. G. Two-stage testing reduces student-perceived exam anxiety in introductory chemistry. The Journal of Chemical Education 2021, 98, 2527-2535.
• Bergens, S. H.; Kalapugama, S.; Nepal, P.; McGinitie, E. Catalyst systems for use in continuous flow reactors and methods of manufacture and use thereof. US Patent 20160175829, issued June 23, 2016.
• Corkum, E. G.; Wang, R.; Aquino, M. A. S. Compromising the metal-metal bond in diruthenium(II,III) tetraacetate: Reaction of [Ru2(µ-O2CMe)4(MeOH)2]+ with phosphines to form ‘Ru(µ-O2CMe)2(µ-OMe)2Ru’ cores. Inorganica Chimica Acta 2015, 424, 202-209.
• Corkum, E. G.; Kalapugama, S.; Hass, M. J.; Bergens, S. H. Solvent-free Isomerization of Allylic Alcohols Catalyzed by a Rhodium Catalyst-Organic Framework. RSC Advances 2012, 2, 3473-3476.
• Corkum, E. G.; Hass, M. J.; Sullivan, A. D.; Bergens, S. H. A Highly Reusable Rhodium Catalyst-Organic Framework for the Intramolecular Cycloisomerization of 1,6-Enynes. Organic Letters 2011, 13, 3522-3525.

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Teaching

• The Augustana Faculty Early Achievement of Teaching Excellence Award - 2020
• University of Alberta Award for Outstanding Mentorship in Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (nominated) - 2019
• Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Industry R&D Associates Award - 2014
• University of Alberta Profiling Alberta's Graduate Students Award - 2012
• University of Alberta University Teaching Services Graduate Student Teaching Award - 2011
• Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Fellowship (Doctoral) - 2010 and 2011
• Walter H. Johns Memorial Scholarship - 2009 and 2010
• NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship - 2009 and 2010
• Professor Osman James Walker Memorial Scholarship - 2009
• Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Fellowship (Master's) - 2008 and 2009

AUCHE 112 - General Chemistry II

Continuation of AUCHE 110. Topics include thermodynamics, free energy, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry, buffers, oxidation-reduction reactions, and electrochemistry. Prerequisite: AUCHE 110. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCHE 112, AUCHE 212 (2022) or AUCHE 214.

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AUCHE 230 - Structure and Bonding

An introduction to the principles of molecular structure and chemical bonding. Topics include: the electronic structure of atoms, bonding models and Molecular Orbital Theory, symmetry and point groups, structure and bonding of ionic solids, structure and bonding of transition metal complexes, stereochemistry and conformational isomerism. Prerequisite: AUCHE 112. Note: Students who completed AUCHE 110 between 2021 and 2023 may also use that course as a prerequisite to AUCHE 230.

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AUCHE 350 - Introductory Synthesis

An introduction to inorganic chemistry with particular emphasis on the bonding, reactivity and characterization of transition metal complexes. Topics include: Donor-acceptor chemistry, ligand substitution, photochemical reactions, electronic spectra, and an introduction to inorganic material synthesis. Prerequisite: AUCHE 230. Note: Students who completed AUCHE 250 between 2021 and 2023 may also use that course as a prerequisite to AUCHE 350.

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AUCHE 351 - Introductory Synthesis Lab

This lab course introduces students to synthetic laboratory principles and techniques. Concepts include the synthesis of transition metal complexes, the rational design and synthesis of organic ligand systems, reactions of metal complexes, catalysis and nanomaterial synthesis. Students will also gain experience analyzing and interpreting real-world data acquired from a variety of characterization techniques, including NMR, UV-Vis, IR and magnetic susceptibility. Prerequisite: AUCHE 230 or AUCHE 251 (2022). Corequisites: Recommended AUCHE 350.

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AUCHE 352 - Advanced Synthesis

An extension of AUCHE 350 and an introduction to catalysis. Topics include: Common organometallic ligand systems, organometallic reactions and related mechanisms, homogenous, heterogeneous and asymmetric catalysis, catalyst synthesis and design, flow chemistry and industrial catalytic applications. Prerequisite: AUCHE 350.

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AUCHE 353 - Advanced Synthesis Lab

This course is a guided-inquiry laboratory course that is focused on the development of modern organic and inorganic synthetic skills and techniques. Students will gain hands-on experience in researching, developing and implementing synthetic methodologies and analyzing experimental results. In addition, students will strengthen their communication skills through oral and written assignments. Prerequisites: AUCHE 351. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of AUCHE 353 and AUCHE 360 (2021).

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AUCHE 405 - Selected Topics in Chemistry

In-depth examination of selected topics in Chemistry. Prerequisites: 12 units of senior Chemistry, at least 3 units of which must be in the subject area of the particular selected topics course.

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